The Chancellor confirms major government U-turn on winter fuel payments.
More than three-quarters of pensioners in England and Wales will now be entitled to the winter fuel payment in a major U-turn on one of the government's most controversial policies.
Rachel Reeves posted to X:
Today we are expanding Winter Fuel Payments to benefit nine million pensioners this winter.
It is right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair.
That's why we have acted to expand eligibility so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out.
-- Rachel Reeves, June 9, 2025
Paul Brand posted to X following the news:
Reversing the winter fuel allowance cut for 75% of pensioners surely means the whole policy since July has been one of the most pointless self-inflicted wounds any government has ever suffered?
Assuming they don’t get full credit for the reversal, which they won’t.
Many critics are questioning how this reversal won't cause a run on the pound. Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, previously said "If we hadn't taken that action, we'd have seen a run on the pound".
https://twitter.com/RachelReevesMP/status/1932030267033792853
https://twitter.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1932043352737722706
